Army Education Programs

Military.com

Like the other military branches, the Army offers its members great opportunities to get a college education. These programs are generally referred to as Voluntary Education or Vol Ed. The Army Continuing Education System (ACES) through its many programs promotes lifelong learning opportunities and sharpens the competitive edge of Army, 2010 and beyond. ACES is committed to excellence in service, innovation, and deployability.

The ACES mission promotes lifelong learning, readiness and resilience through flexible and relevant education programs, services and systems in support of the Total Army family.

The ACES (Army Continuing Education System) offers the following VOL ED programs to help soldiers reach their education goals:

GoArmyEd

Tuition Assistance

Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOCAD)

eArmyU

Other Army Education Resources

GoArmyEd

GoArmyEd is the virtual gateway for Soldiers on active duty to request Tuition Assistance (TA) online, anytime for classroom, distance learning, and eArmyU online college courses. GoArmyEd provides an automated process that has replaced some of the processes that were historically conducted with your Army Education Counselor.

GoArmyEd can be used by:

Army Tuition Assistance

If you are on Active Duty or in the Army Reserve, you may be eligible to receive up to 100% of your college tuition.

The Army Continuing Education System will launch a tuition assistance automation project on April 1, 2006. The TA automation will allow Soldiers to request TA and enroll in courses online. This will assist in expediting the enrollment process and minimize wait times at Army Education Centers. Soldiers will be able to request TA online through the ACES portal called GoArmyEd. Learn more about the Army TA.

SOCAD

SOCAD is the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) degree program for the Army.

SOCAD consists of colleges that offer associate and bachelor's degree programs on or accessible to Army installations worldwide.

SOCAD colleges form networks in which each college accepts credits from all the others.

SOCAD guarantees that you and your adult family members can continue toward completion of your degrees even though the Army may transfer you several times. There are also degrees available by distance learning that require no classroom residency.

eArmyU

A technology package which includes a laptop computer, printer, email account and Internet access

This program is entirely online, offering soldiers a streamlined "portal" approach to a wide variety of post-secondary degrees and technical certificates. What's more, the technology package becomes yours after you complete 12 semester hours. Added to the existing education programs and services available, this online program helps to ensure you have the opportunity to fulfill your personal and professional educational goals while simultaneously building the technology, critical thinking, and decision-making skills required to fully transform the Army.

Other Army Education Resources

The Army College Fund (ACF)

The Army College Fund is also known as a MGIB Kicker, and is available to those who sign up for the GI Bill. If you're a high school graduate, score a 50 or better on the ASVAB, and qualify for certain Army jobs or specialties, you can get more than $20,000 in addition to your GI Bill money for your education upon enlistment.

Student Loan Repayment Program (LRP)

If you are a college student or graduate who qualifies for the Loan Repayment Program (LRP), the Army will pay, upon enlistment, up to $65,000 of your student loans for a college level education.
Click here for more on the Army Loan Repayment Program.

Soldiers to pursue their postsecondary educational goals.

Army Education Counselors to provide educational guidance.

Colleges to deliver degree and course offerings and to report Soldier progress.

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GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill